Last week I was asked to write a new sock pattern. I had an idea in mind for a sock design anyway so the request just brought that idea up the queue a bit. When I'm designing I tend to write and knit in parallel, write a bit, knit a bit, tweak where needed, repeat as necessary until pattern and project are both complete. Recently I've been trying to write my sock patterns first in their entirety and then knit the sample from the draft finished pattern.
Mid-week the pace was stepped up a bit, because the people requesting the pattern had had a change of plan and asked if there was any possibility I could have the pattern ready within a week. Due to my new way of working, the pattern itself was already written but I needed a photograph of the sock it produces. In order to take a photo I'd need a sock, and that meant I had to get on and knit one!
I cast on on Wednesday evening and worked the toe. By Saturday morning I had worked the foot, and on Saturday afternoon I turned the heel and started up the leg.
Just as I reached the cuff, this happened...
Mid-week the pace was stepped up a bit, because the people requesting the pattern had had a change of plan and asked if there was any possibility I could have the pattern ready within a week. Due to my new way of working, the pattern itself was already written but I needed a photograph of the sock it produces. In order to take a photo I'd need a sock, and that meant I had to get on and knit one!
I cast on on Wednesday evening and worked the toe. By Saturday morning I had worked the foot, and on Saturday afternoon I turned the heel and started up the leg.
Just as I reached the cuff, this happened...
Thankfully it was at the end of a round and the stitches were all safely on the main part of the cord when the tip came off in my hand! I'm not blaming the needle. These are my absolute favourites (ChiaoGoo Red lace 2mm 80cm, if you're interested!) and I use them for pretty much every pair of socks I knit. They've done some serious mileage - you can see from how the tips have bent slightly due to my knitting style. (I tend to hold the back part of the tip trapped between my fourth and fifth fingers and my palm. The tip flexing around that point introduces that bend in thinner needles.)
I do have other 2mm circulars so I was able to finish the sample sock, but as I did so I had a revelation. There had been no need for this sprint sock production after all. I have three other sock patterns in progress, one of which is already finished, edited and tested and ready to go and would be more than appropriate for the project in question. I have sent off for a replacement for my favourite needles, will use the existing pattern for the project, and can relax and knit the other sock later. Now all I need to decide is what else to make while I wait for the replacement to arrive!
I do have other 2mm circulars so I was able to finish the sample sock, but as I did so I had a revelation. There had been no need for this sprint sock production after all. I have three other sock patterns in progress, one of which is already finished, edited and tested and ready to go and would be more than appropriate for the project in question. I have sent off for a replacement for my favourite needles, will use the existing pattern for the project, and can relax and knit the other sock later. Now all I need to decide is what else to make while I wait for the replacement to arrive!
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